Device for storing and displaying photographs, snapshots and the like



A. H. sHNl-:IDER 3,218,743

Nov. 23, 1965 DEVICE FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHS, SNAPSHOTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1962 Iigil/4 INVENTOR. AARON HARRY SHNEmm 3,218,743 sNAPsHoTs Nov. 23, 1965 A. H. SHNEIDER DEVICE FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHS,

AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 16, 1962 H RRY SHNEmER United States Patent Office 3,218,743 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 3,218,743 DEVICE FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING PHOTO- GRAPHS, SNAPSHOTS AND THE LIKE Aaron Harry Shneider, 6527 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, lll. Filed July 16, 1962, Ser. No. 210,145 1 Claim. (Cl. 40--72) This invention relates to a device for storing and displaying photographs, snapshots, and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device for storing, preserving and displaying a plurality of photographs, snapshots, and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure in which a plurality of photographs, snapshots, or the like, are each supported within a transparent protective covering and are easily and readily selectively positioned for viewing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an album which contains a plurality of transparent envelopes within each of which is supported a photograph, snapshot, or the like, in a protective manner, and wherein a plurality of albums are supported on a holder so that any individual photograph or snapshot may be readily selected for viewing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure which is of small construction so that it may be placed on a desk, table, or the like, and which may be readily stored away when so desired, and which structure is economical to produce and very simple to operate.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device forming this invention.

FIGURE 1A is a view of one of the books or albums supported by the holder.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the holder.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view taken on lines 4-4 of FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, partly broken away, of the book or album.

The holder member comprises a base of general rectangular shape having a central recessed portion 12 on the underside thereof. Supported on the Ibase is a knob 14 on which is supported a U-shaped frame member 16. The U-shaped frame member is secured to the knob and to the base by means of a bolt and nut indicated by the numeral 18, as best shown in FIGURE 3. The frame 16 is capable of being rotated or swiveled with respect to the base.

Rotatably supported in alined openings 20 at the upper end of the U-shaped frame is a shaft 22. The shaft has secured at each of the ends thereof a knob, one of said knobs being indicated lby the numeral 24 and the other by the numeral 26. These knobs fare xedly secured to the shaft by suitable fastening means to rotate the shaft.

Adjacent one of the sides of the frame 16 and secured Xedly to the shaft 22 to rotate therewith is a ratchet gear 28. A pawl member generally designated by the numeral 30 is attached to the side of the U-shaped member as at 32 and the upper end of the pawl member is turned inwardly to form the pawl for engagement with the ratchet gear 28. The knob 26 is secured to the shaft 22 outwardly of the pawl member 30. The shaft 22 may thus be manually rotated by rotating either of the knobs 24 or 26 in one direction and stopped from rotation in the opposite direction. As shown, the shaft 22 may be rotated only counterclockwise.

Secured to the shaft 22 in spaced relation are a plurality of rings or holder members designated by the numeral 34. The rings are of identical construction. The major portion of the ring has a generally circular portion 36. A radial portion 38 extends inwardly of said circular portion with the innermost end of the radial portion curved to engage the shaft surface. It is welded or brazed to the shaft as at 38 at the curved end. The circular portion 36 of the ring continues with a rectilinear portion 40 which terminates in an end 42 extending substantially at right angles to the rectilinear portion 40. The terminus of the end 42 is spaced from the circular and radial portions 36 and 38, respectively, to provide a gap therebetween. Secured to the end 42 is a coiled spring 44 which extends to the circular and radial portions to close the gap or opening.

The albums or books which are adapted to be supported on the holder will now be described and same are best shown in FIGURES 1, 1A and 5.

Each album or book, generally designated at 46, comprises a plurality of envelopes 48, each of which is formed of a transparent plastic material such as cellophane or the like, which is folded upon itself to provide a pocket 50 between the two sides. The bottom 52 of each envelope is closed along the fold line. The upper end of each envelope is positioned within a generally U-shaped binder edge 54 of substantially rigid material. A plurality of envelopes are secured to the binder edge by means of a pair of spaced fastening eyelets 56, each having an opening 57. The eyelets are spaced to aline with the spacing of the rings 34. The eyelets will secure the envelopes to the binder edge 54 so as to form a unit comprising a plurality of envelopes of transparent material, which is herein identified as an album or book.

It will be seen that the opposite ends of each envelope are open so that a photograph or snapshot may be inserted into each envelope or pocket from either end and may be removed therefrom when desired. Within each envelope one or two photographs may be positioned. In the instance where two photographs are positioned in one envelope, they are inserted back to back so that each photograph or snapshot may be visible through the transparent face of the envelope.

Each album or book 46 is secured to the ring members 34 by exing the coil spring 44 away from the adjacent radial and circular portions to provide a space to permit insertion of the opening 57 of the eyelet 56 on said spring. Thereafter the album 46 is slid upwardly on the spring and on to the rectilinear portion 40 of the ring and then to the circular portion of the ring to be secured thereto. A plurality of albums or books may be positioned on said rings.

With this invention a great number of photographs, snapshots and the like are readily supported on a stand and may be readily turned to, and the particular envelope can be readily selected for Viewing the desired photograph or snapshot.

It will be understood that various changes and modilications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising a base, an upright member secured to said base, a rotatable shaft secured to said upright member, a plurality of ring members secured to said shaft to rotate therewith, a book member adapted to be detachably secured to said ring members, said book member comprising a plurality of leaves each formed of a sheet of transparent material folded upon itself to be closed at the bottom and open at one of its sides and forming a pocket to receive therewithin a photograph, snapshot, or the like, said plurality of leaves being secured together at the top thereof by a binding element so that said plurality of leaves comprise a single book member, said ring members each having a circular portion and :a radial portion extending inwardlyof the circular portion with the innermost end of the radial portion engagingthe shaft, the circular portion of said ring continuing as a rectilinear portion which terminates in an end extending substantially at right angles to the radialportion to provide a space between the terminus of the end and the circular and radial portions of the ring, and a coilV spring secured to the end, which coil spring extends to the circular and radial portions to close the-space.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1924 Robbins 129-20 4/ 1929 Suydam 40-102 12/ 1930 Dunning 40-102 2/ 1936 Lexow 129-23 12/ 1944 Litchtenstein 129-1 3/1952 Holt 129-16 5/1953 Bepristis 40-102 7/1956 Glacius 40-72 7/ 1960 Parker 40-102 X FOREIGN PATENTS 2/1934 France. 5/ 1940 Germany. 8/ 1953 Germany. 2/1941 Great Britain. 1/ 1949 Switzerland.

20 JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

E. V`. BENHAM, Examiner. 

